A/N: OKAY. I know I'm really, REALLY late in updating but I think I have very reasonable reasons. You see, I've been contaminated by chicken-pox for the past two weeks and I was in no condition to write and the ideas seem to jumble in my head. BLEH. So please forgive me? :)
Oh, and sorry if I got all the tenses wrong...As I said my mind isn't in a right state. XD Anyway, enjoy! :)
Chapter 4
ESCAPADE
Escape. Escape. Escape. Escape. The word bounces inside Hermione Granger's head like a squishy ball inside a glass cage; hitting the wall and bouncing back. Escape. There's that word again. Run. That's another word with a similar meaning.
Ice drops to the bottom of Hermione's stomach spreading dread, fear and disbelief through her body.
Dizzying thoughts flood her mind. She closes her eyes as memories of her past adventures with harry and Ron play behind her eyelids like a movie. The pain, the fear and the uncertainty…the hiding. Wasn't she supposed to be brave? I'm a bloody Gryffindor! She thinks to herself fiercely. I'm brave! I'm supposed to be brave!
Hermione's eyes gazes upon the Headmistress' eyes steadily. They continuously held each other's gaze; a silent conversation between them. Will you run or risk Azkaban? Is what seems to be the question coming from the Professor's eyes. Hermione averts her eyes from McGonagall and let her eyes fall to the pale-skinned boy beside her, his mouth forming an O from shock and disbelief.
"Are you mental?" he says, his face now contorted in anger. "Are you completely out of your rocker?" he screams with a humorless laugh. Draco closes his eyes, his brows furrowed in concentration, knuckles white from clutching the armrest of his chair tightly as he tries his best not to let his anger explode and get the best of him.
For a moment, silence dominates the office. Draco, still trying to control himself; Hermione, weighing the risks of escaping and Professor McGonagall, looking stern as she folds her hands.
Draco slowly stands up from his chair and as he opens his eyes, addresses the Headmistress. "We did not murder Professor Trelawney." He says firmly. "So why, in Merlin's sagging pants do we have to escape?" says Draco, pronouncing the last word with a scoff.
"I agree with Malfoy on this, Professor." Says Hermione as she rises from her own chair. "We are not guilty."
Hermione studies the face of her beloved teacher. For once, she was scared for her Professor. Seeing the tired lines, the sudden dimming of the fire in her Professor's eyes scared her. Professor Mcgonagall gives a heavy sigh before ordering the two students to sit back down to their seats.
"You do realize that the evidences are completely against you?" says McGonagall as they got back to their chairs.
"But Professor ther-." Says Draco; jumping from his seat.
"And that it only takes a night for the Ministry to decide whether the said suspects will be taken custody for interrogation and most probably put in Azkaban?" says McGonagall silencing Draco. She looks over Hermione as if looking for confirmation. Hermione gives a small nod.
"Professor," says Hermione. "Do you not believe us?" she continues timidly. "Do you think we are guilty?"
"No, Miss Granger." Says the Headmistress tiredly. "I believe you are innocent and that you are in no way involved in the crime," she says, returning to her desk. "But the fact is, the Ministry officials do not think that way. And do you think, I'm sorry, that justice will be served?" McGonagall settles herself on her grand chair looking somber.
"They believe in the evidences and what they speak." She says. "And the evidence speaks the both of you." The Professor gazes upon them, shaking her head making her bun wobble. "I believe I have kept you from your lessons long enough." She says looking to the window above the many paintings. It is dusk and the sky a purplish gray hue. "It is time for dinner." She says at last.
"You are dismissed."
With an evidently aggravated Malfoy, they exit the room when the Headmistress addresses them once more. "I hope that you take this into consideration, Miss Granger and Mister Malfoy." says McGonagall. "It would be a waste to see bright students like you locked up in Azkaban." And with that Hermione and Draco exits the door both baffled by today's events.
It was both a surprise and amazement to see the Slytherin Prince and the Gryffindor Princess to enter the great Hall at the same time. Never did anyone knowing the history of their encounters would imagine it. As they enter the Hall every eyes falls upon them, filling the cavernous dining area with a rather awkward silence. Murmurs were heard as they walked up to their house tables like:
"Are they together?"
"Are you serious? He picked her?"
"Isn't this the issue?"
Hermione lets out an impatient puff of air while Draco sent killing looks to the murmuring crowd.
As Hermione settled down the long bench (after sending death glares to some people), Harry immediately turns to Hermione.
"Where were you?" says a worried Harry. "You've been missing the whole afternoon period." He says as Ginny scoots closer. "I went to McGonagall." says Hermione. Seeing the curiosity in her friend's faces, she recounted the meeting with their Professor and their nemesis. After doing so, Hermione notices the absence of Ron.
"Where's Ron?" asks Hermione a she scans the whole of the Gryffindor table.
"Dunno," says Harry with equal concern. "been missing since that Auror talked to you privately."
That's strange. Hermione says inwardly. Ron has never missed a meal. Maybe he already ate. Stop worrying yourself, Hermione. She thinks, shaking her head.
"Hermione, you really have to consi—"began Harry, bringing up the subject of escaping. "No, Harry." says Hermione, puncturing a potato in the process. "I will not miss another school year." she says in a warning tone and Harry let the subject rest. Hermione sighs knowing that Harry would attack when given the opportunity.
After finishing a hearty meal of baked potatoes and steak they exited the Hall. As they passed classrooms and after jumping the trick steps, they finally found themselves at the front of the portrait hole leading to the Gryffindor Common Room that passed the way to the Head's private commons. They were saying their goodbyes and goodnights when Hermione suddenly blurted out, "Harry, d'you mind if I barrow the Invisibility Cloak?" she asks not really knowing why she asked to borrow it.
"Er…sure why not?" says Harry, turning to Hermione. "Just stay right there. I'll get it up." says Harry as he bounced up to the common room and disappearing behind the painting.
After about ten minutes of waiting, Harry reappeared behind the painting carrying an old looking rucksack. He handed it to Hermione.
"Thanks, Harry." Hermione says starting to walk away. "See you!"
"Wait!" Harry shouts after her friend. "Be careful alright?" he says with concern. Who wouldn't be worried after their best friend and surrogate sister if you know they're accused of murdering a teacher?
"Yes, Harry." says Hermione with a small smile.
"I will." And with that Hermione walked away.
As Hermione opened the portrait hole leading to the Head's common room, her mind was full of thoughts: Escape, Running, Hiding, Malfoy, the person that set them up and of course, Trelawney.
She was about to open the mermaid painting that led to her bedroom to sleep and mull things over on her bed when a cough stops her from entering.
"I would like to talk." says the person in a cold voice.
She gingerly turns around from her spot and see Malfoy lounging on the couch, two mugs of chocolate sitting innocently on the coffee table. The green fires from the fireplace dimly lights the room, making patterns on the face of the boy before her, making him eerily beautiful. Hermione scolds herself internally.
"What about?" asks Hermione.
"I would appreciate it if you would sit." He says, pointing a pale finger to the armchair across him. Seeing the bookworm would not budge, he added, "Please?" impatiently.
Hermione narrows her eyes before cautiously approaching the armchair. After settling her bag on her feet she looks at Malfoy with wary eyes; calculating his moves whether if he was about to take out his wand or not. Instincts derived from the war.
"Who would have done this?" he says, looking at the flames.
"You're not one to beat around the bush, are you?"
"No. I would rather have my name cleaned fast and as uncharacteristic as this may seem, I think it'd be faster if we work together." he says, eyes still on the dancing flames.
Hermione nods. Having your father have the possibility of Azkaban or the Dementor's Kiss, having a almost deranged mother because of grief plus getting yourself in a murder case, that must be a lot even for the Slytherin Prince. For once Hermione granger felt something for Draco Malfoy: pity.
"I have theories." says Hermione. Malfoy quirks a perfect eyebrow, interested.
"Have you made enemies lately? I mean, do you know someone who has the power to do this?"
"A lot that you can't count them with your fingers," He says indifferently.
"Why?" asks Hermione.
"Have I not told you before? I rattled out hundreds of Death Eaters and I know that all of them want me dead or in Azkaban." he says with an impatient tone. "How about you?"
"Well, I did help defeat Voldemort." Draco nods curtly. "What bothers me is how they managed to get my locket." Says Hermione thoughtfully.
"Yes. I've been thinking about that too. How could have they gotten my tie? I mean—they'd need to get inside our quarters…you didn't let anyone inside, did you?" he says looking suspicious.
"Of course not!" says Hermione aggressively. "I'm not stupid." she says with contempt.
"Fine, fine. But we're not getting anywhere. Here is my theory." says Draco, impatiently waving his hand, leaning to get his cup of hot chocolate.
With that, they talked until the wee hours if the evening: Each hypothesis becoming more far-fetched than the other. From imposters to hungry hags, their ideas became more and more ridiculous. It is weird—odd—for both of them to be having such a civil conversation. No killing, no hexing, no screaming profanities, just a conversation between two people with a common enemy. It is odd indeed.
It was well past two o'clock in the morning when finally, Draco decided to end their talk.
"It is late. I think it's best if we get back to our rooms." He says to a pensive Hermione.
"Wha—what? Oh! Yes—yes—I don't want to be late tomorrow." says Hermione, getting up. "Well, uhm…sleep well." She says, awkwardly picking up her undisturbed mug.
"Any news. Any news about the case. You tell me pronto, alright?" Draco asks, also getting up. "Of course." says Hermione.
Draco nods and proceeds to his room.
Hermione turns to her room and was about to pull open her portrait when he speaks again.
"Oh, and Granger, make sure you don't snore. You don't want the whole castle up all night, right?" he says and closes the painting with a soft thud. You could just sense a smile in his voice.
Hermione whips her head to look at him but only sees the painting of a handsome sailor that serves as a door to his chambers. She could feel the heat starting on her cheeks and spreads to her temple. She shakes her head impatiently. He's just trying to annoy you. As always. Hermione scold herself.
She pushes the painting open and steps into her room.
Her room was very pretty. With light green walls that brighten the room beautifully, midnight blue bed with tiny small yellow dots, a cherry wood desk, very dark brown rug and a glass book shelf. Also, at the foot of her bed is a handsome chest with her belongings.
After downing the hot choco, Hermione opens the chest and takes out the contents. One by one, she took out old quills, empty ink bottles, unused parchments, half dozen tees, and about half a dozen leather bound books. With a huff, she finds what she's looking for. There, in the middle of the slightly empty chest, perches a small beaded handbag.
Gingerly, she takes the handbag and hears a series of thumps and something breaking. She throws the bag onto the bed with a loud thump and begins to put everything back into her chest.
After about thirty minutes of cleaning and repacking of trunks to closets, books to shelves, quills to quill holes and the likes, she stood stating at her handbag, not really knowing why she took it out. She never unpacked all the things inside the handbag. All the books and clothes are still there and so is Phineas Nigellus' portrait (in which she is constantly being reminded to return but always seems to forget). After the Battle, Hermione never opened the handbag again because she didn't want to touch the books containing on how to make Horcruxes. She didn't want to have her skin in contact with anything that has to do with the Dark Arts. She had put it away believing that never would she use it again for adventures yet here it is now, sitting on top of her bed.
Hermione shakes her head reassuringly that this was just a gut feeling: A kind of weight in her chest telling that something will happen tonight. Yet it was also gutting feeling that saved hers, Harry's and Ron's life when they had to make a run for it.
With drooping eyes, she took the handbag and placed it on top of her desk after stuffing the Invisibility Cloak inside. She changed to her pajamas and sank beneath the warm sheets and told herself that there is nothing to worry about.
Hermione dreamed of being in Transfiguration in which their project was to draw a hippogriff and Professor McGonagall was screaming at her, "I am disappointed Miss Granger! You have failed this class!" Hermione screamed and the scene shifted…
The classroom changed from black to grey to white and then to a bright blue-white. She was hovering; lightweight and it scared her. She never got the hang of being in air and she would rather have both feet steady on ground. She was quivering with fright when she sees a rope. She frantically tries to reach for it then suddenly, she starts falling. Falling…falling…falling into nothingness.
Hermione wakes up breathless. There was a soft prodding on her shoulder with a small squawky voice saying, "Miss Granger must wake up! Oh, what will Master say to Kreacher if Kreacher does not help his dear friend!" Hermione sat up with a jerk. She spots Kreacher prodding her shoulder with a walking stick about three feet away.
"Kreacher!" Hermione says in surprise.
"Miss Granger must wake up! They are coming!" squeaks Kreacher, still poking Hermione.
"Kreacher! What—OUCH!—please stop it! I'm awake!" calls Hermione, when kreacher accidentally pokes her in the ribs with force. Seeing that Hermione is wide awake, Kreacher stops mid poke and falls to the ground for the walking stick was too heavy for him.
"Miss! You must escape Miss! They are coming!" says Kreacher, his eye bulging.
"What? Whose coming?" says Hermione groggily, trying to massage the spot where Kreacher poked harshly.
"Men from the Ministry, Miss! An—and—and horrible things, Miss! Things in ragged cloaks…" croaked Kreacher, swaying.
"What?" Hermione asked sharply. She hastily scrambled out of her bed and sprinted to the window. She peeked slowly through the curtains and saw small figures walking briskly through the castle grounds. She gasped as she sees figures that looked unmistakably as Dementors.
Instantly, Hermione shoots through the room and ran to Malfoy's portrait and almost ripped the painting open. She sees Malfoy spread eagle on his bed in his pajamas, his sheets a tangled mess on the floor.
"Malfoy! Malfoy wake up!" yells Hermione, jabbing him and slapping him awake. But Malfoy just grunted. "Malfoy, you slimy git, wake up! Malfoy! MALFOY!" screamed Hermione on his ear but with eyes still closed, he threw a pillow at Hermione and kicked her and she fell hard on the floor. Furious, Hermione grabbed an innocent vase full of carnations and poured the contents on Malfoy's head.
Spluttering, Draco bolts upright, dripping wet, once again, by Hermione Granger.
"What was that for?" yelled Draco, getting up from his soaking bed with a red face. "And why on earth are you here?" asked Draco indignantly.
"That was for kicking me you prat and we have to get going." says an annoyed Hermione.
"What d'you mean get going?" asks Draco, drying himself with a wave of his wand.
"There are Ministry Officials out there, on the school grounds that are going to take us most probably for questioning. Also, there are Dementors out there and only prisoners are escorted by Dementors." Says Hermione impatiently. "Give me a bag! Any bag c'mon!" says Hermione as she sprints back to her room. She flings open her closet door and grabs random shirts and jeans, and a dark red velvet coat. She carries them to the bed and unceremoniously shoved it inside the handbag. Without a second glance, wand and handbag in hand, she exits the room and enters Draco's. He was trying to push the clothes he could find but failed miserably. Draco's face has a pinkish tinge and his brows were furrowed in concentration. If the situation wasn't bad, Hermione would've laughed. He looked quite comical.
"Oh, give it to me and get more stuff." Says Hermione, grabbing the black leather bag from him and casts an Undetectable Extension Charm on it. "Here," she says throwing back the bag to him. She ran back to her room to peek at the window but she sees nothing but the grass.
She was half way to her room and Malfoy's when—BANG!
The whole room shook with the spell. "Repello Inimicum!" says Hermione, pointing her wand at the main portrait hole. "Kreacher! Come!" calls Hermione from Draco's room. Draco threw her a purple velvet pouch when Kreacher comes bounding from the other room. She shoved the pouch into her handbag and
There was another loud BANG and the room shook with the force. Any moment now the charm would break and they would not be able to escape.
"Where're we going next? We can't use the main entrance. It'd be swarming with Ministry Officials!" says Draco as he slung the backpack on his shoulder and grabbed his wand.
"I don't know! I don't kn—Kreacher!" calls Hermione. "Do you know any other exit here?" she asks desperately. Kreacher gives a small shake with his head.
It is the end of it. There is no way out. The castle would be full of Dementors inside out even without the Headmistress' permission. They'd be locked in Azkaban. Hermione looks up to Draco when a voice calls to them. "Here!" says the voice. They look around the room, searching for the voice that could possibly mean escape. "Here!" says the voice once again.
"You!" says Draco, pointing to a painting on top of his headboard.
"Open my painting! Quick!" the knight said in a hushed voice. With Hermione's help, they pry the painting open but see only cobbled stone. "Tap the wall with your wand! Now, hurry!" says the knight. Draco quickly taps the wall with his wand and instantly, it reveald a dark hole.
Hermione looks uncertainly at Draco but he gives her a firm nod and slips into the chute. With a Blasting Charm she blasts the portrait of Draco's room closed and addresses Kreacher. She conjures a leather satchel and hands it to the house-elf.
"At the end of this tunnel; fill this with food—"she gives the bag a shake, "and meet me in five minutes at the end of the tunnel, alright?" she asks. Kreacher gives a small nod, quite bewildered by being given orders by a muggle-born, and yet with a loud crack he dissaparated.
"Granger, hurry UP!" shouts Draco from below.
Hermione hears another bang and voices from the outer room can be heard. Hastily, she closes the painting, grabs the small handbag and slides down the chute.
With a loud swoosh she finds herself at Draco's feet, the books inside her bag bumping and creating loud noises. Draco extends a hand but Hermione refuses and pushes herself from the ground. With a brusque "Let's go," they ran and ran until the end of the tunnel and see Kreacher huddled in a corner, clutching the bulging satchel to his thin chest.
"Thank you, Kreacher." Hermione says, smiling fondly at the house-elf. "You can go back to the kitchens!"
"Thank you, Hermione Granger!" says Kreacher and with another loud crack, he vanishes.
They realize that the end of the tunnel is dead ended by stone. Draco uncertainly taps the wall with his wand and at instantly, the wall vanishes at its' touch. When the wall completely vanishes, they see the back of the painting and hurriedly, they push the painting and find themselves fifty feet above the ground on the first floor.
Draco grabs her arm and jumps. Hermione screams at him and she could just hear him say, "Aresto Momentum!"
Slowly, they drift to the ground and after settling their feet to the ground, they speed along through the hallway. Hermione snatches her arm from Malfoy.
"A warning would be nice next time." she growls. He shrugs. They run to the entrance hall to see that their way is blocked by Ministry Officials running towards them.
"Hey! There they are!" says a short burly man. With a start, they turn towards the other way. They run along another corridor to find their way blocked by a hoard of Dementors. Draco lets out a scream and terror can be seen from his face. He tries to scramble to a classroom but Hermione grabbed his collar and trying to think of happy thoughts (which is seeing Malfoy the amazing bouncing ferret being trampled on), shouted,
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
An otter the size of a small dog scurry the length of the hall and into the entrance hall. Hand still on the collar, she helped Draco up and together (in which he choked by the force Hermione exerted in pulling him), they ran. Voices and heavy footfalls can be heard behind them. Stunning Spells shot through them and getting their wands out, they shot back any spell and curse they could think of. A purple light shot out of Draco's wand and hit a Ministry Official which in turn, his legs turned to jelly.
They were six yards away from the gates to the school grounds when a Stunning Spell was shooting straight to Hermione's back. Seeing this, Draco seized her hand and pulled her to him and embracing her just in time as the spell shot exactly where she was seconds ago.
"You're too slow!" says Draco as the men were gaining upon them. Begrudgingly, he takes hold of her shoulders, swiftly slipped his right arm under her calf and carried her bridal style. Hermione gives out a startled cry before giving him an angry look whilst Draco said, "Just shoot spells at them will you? Carrying you isn't really picnic." He says with a contemptuous grunt. As Hermione was taking out the men with a series of well-aimed spells, a spell hits Draco squarely at the back that envelope him and Hermione in a pinkish black smoke, making pink and black webs encircle between them. Draco waited for the pain but no visible injuries appear. Draco tries to ignore this but the smoke is getting in his eyes. He grunts in frustration and with renewed vigor sprints into the through the grounds. Draco trips and stumbles before falling down, Hermione still in his arms. Draco tries to get up to run to the edge of the forest when a cold, sickly feeling spread through his arms filling him with sadness. Beside him, Granger shakily points her wand to the Dementors.
"Expecto…expect pat—expecto….expecto…." she says, her voice dying in her throat.
This is it. Thinks Draco. This is it and they were going to get the Dementor's Kiss. What a dreadful way to die…yet he would not really die, would he? His body would still be here... He could just hear people shouting at the dreadful creature in front of him that is slowly extracting its hand from its ragged cloak. The Dementors are closing in and then – a bright blue-white light filled the night air, dissolving the Dementors as they scrambled out of the way.
The light approaches Draco and something with antlers trod the grass but no disturbance on the grass can be seen on where it walks.
"Hurry!" says the animal. Draco quickly turns to the stunned Hermione, snatches her hand and together, they dash to the forest. Panting, they enter the Forbidden Forest, the Officials still on their tails. Draco was about to Blast a bush away, when Granger stops him.
"What? We really need to get going!" He added impatiently as Granger sunk her hands inside her bag and pulled something long and shimmering.
"They'd see us! We need to hide!" Hermione nippily threw the cloth around her and to Draco's shock, her bottom half completely disappeared.
"What the - ?" said Draco taken aback.
"No time to explain! Just get inside!" whispered Hermione opening the cloth wider as Stunning Spells illuminate the forest, hitting a tree nearby. Draco swiftly hides under the cloth and start toward the end of the boundaries of the school.
They arrive at the Apparition point to see that officials were already there accompanied by several Dementors. Instanly, the Dementors start toward them. Hermione whimpers and for the fourth time that morning, he grabbed her hand and disapparated.
A/N: Don't forget to leave a review! :)